2016 South Carolina Gamecocks Schedule Breakdown

Can Will Muschamp turn around the Gamecocks right away? He’s got a ton of work to do, and it’ll be a big fight to get to a bowl game. Check out the preseason predictions for every game.

Sept. 3 at Vanderbilt

Yay! It’s the start of the college football season! You’re not exactly going to be in for fireworks between the two solid SEC defenses, but the Gamecocks will come up with just enough pop from the offensive backfield to pull off the road win for Will Muschamp.

Preseason Prediction: South Carolina 20, Vanderbilt 16

Sept. 10 at Mississippi State

It’s crazy to think there’s a must-win game for a projected also-ran so early in the season, but Mississippi State needs to win this at home. South Carolina won’t be quite ready to win a game like this when the sharper team takes the fourth quarter – the Bulldogs will be too balanced.

Preseason Prediction: Mississippi State 24, South Carolina 20

Sept. 17 vs. East Carolina

The Pirates will come up with a strong year and should be dangerous at times, but it’s the first home game of the season, and the Muschamp era, for the Gamecocks. It’ll be a grinding performance with USC totally dominating the time of possession – ECU won’t get into any sort of a groove.

Preseason Prediction: South Carolina 30, East Carolina 20

Sept. 24 at Kentucky

Kentucky’s offense will come up with a nice performance when it needs it the most early on – there’s a trip to Alabama up next. Call this a bowl playoff game with the loser likely out of it, and it’ll be the Wildcats that come through with a sharp day after tuning up against New Mexico State the week before.

Preseason Prediction: Kentucky 31, South Carolina 17

Oct. 1 vs. Texas A&M

Can South Carolina keep up against an Aggie offense that’ll be far better and far more consistent? Not really. A&M will do what it needs to on the road with a few big plays early for a lead it’ll never lose. The Gamecocks will try to pass to get back in the game, and won’t be able to do it.

Preseason Prediction: Texas A&M 30, South Carolina 17

Oct. 8 vs. Georgia

It’ll be a hyped up battle between two key new head coaches who should come up with a few battles for a while, but Kirby Smart will get the best of the first meeting. The South Carolina offense will go missing for too many stretches in key moments.

Preseason Prediction: Georgia 31, South Carolina 17

Oct. 15 OPEN DATE

Oct. 22 vs. Massachusetts

This will be really, really, really ugly. South Carolina will come into the game on a three-game losing streak and in need of something positive. With a week off to rest up and rejuvenate, the Gamecocks will come up with a cathartic and dominant win.

Preseason Prediction: South Carolina 45, Massachusetts 10

Oct. 29 vs. Tennessee

It’s a talent thing. South Carolina will bring the effort and look like a team with the right makeup and potential to come up with an upset, but Tennessee will be too good and too strong on both sides of the ball. This is the Not There Yet game for the Gamecocks.

Preseason Prediction: Tennessee 38, South Carolina 17

Nov. 5 vs. Missouri

South Carolina will be in need for a good win of any sort after coming up with just one SEC victory, and it’ll get it with one of its better defensive performances. This will be the bend-but-don’t-break game. Missouri will look like it’s in control, but it won’t be able to come up with the big play at the right moment.

Preseason Prediction: South Carolina 26, Missouri 20

Nov. 12 at Florida

Will Muschamp going back to Florida? It’s not going to be that big a deal considering there’s not a whole lot of ill-will against the former head coach. His defense will be humming, but it won’t be enough to overcome the lack of offensive punch against a Florida D in the final SEC game of the year.

Preseason Prediction: Florida 23, South Carolina 16

Nov. 19 vs. Western Carolina

Coming off so many defensive fights where getting points will be like pulling teeth, South Carolina will release the hounds. The offense will get to have some fun, and the Gamecock fans will get to have a little fun before the ultra-intense finale.

Preseason Prediction: South Carolina 38, Western Carolina 3

Nov. 26 vs. Clemson

A totally and completely outgunned South Carolina team gave Clemson all it could handle in last season’s loss. This time around, the Tigers will be a bit more effective early on and won’t be nearly as threatened. USC will hang around for a half, and then Clemson will crank up the O when it has to.